Austin officials approved more than $50 million for local affordable housing initiatives, including $29.27 million for existing and planned developments around the city.

The details: Austin City Council, which serves as the board of the city's strategic nonprofit Austin Housing Finance Corp., signed off on a slate of affordable housing funding April 9. The city supports housing that's affordable based on the local median family income, or MFI, which is now about $134,000 for a four-person household.

Going forward: Most of the money will go toward planned single-family and apartment projects as well as existing apartment complexes with affordable units, spread across North, East and South Austin. Additionally, almost $22 million was reserved for the city's local housing voucher program through the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, including $6 million in the current fiscal year. Vouchers subsidize rental units for tenants exiting homelessness through permanent supportive housing programs.

Check out three Hays County government updates, including the opening of a new park preserve, the filing of grant applications for over $400,000 in emergency response equipment and training, and a major funding increase for a social services organization.

1. Hays County opens 175-acre park preserve: Hays County officials and parks department staff celebrated the opening of Karst Canyon Preserve on March 27. The 175-acre preserve features a stretch of Dry Cypress Creek, the Wimberley Bat Cave and a habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

2. Hays County applies for over $400K in emergency response grants: Hays County could gain up to approximately $411,000 in state funding to support emergency and incident response through six grant applications, following approval March 10 from the Hays County Commissioners Court.

3. Hays County approves one-time 400% funding increase to social services organization: Southside Community Center is getting a $100,000 boost to support housing security in Hays County, following approval from Hays County Commissioners Court on March 24.

Half Price Books closed its South Lamar location at 2929 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, in March and will relocate to a newly constructed building at 2607 S. 1st St., Austin, with an expected opening this spring. A groundbreaking for the new location took place Jan. 13.

What you need to know: During the closure, a temporary Half Price Books location is now open at 3005 S. Lamar Blvd., Suite D-11, Austin, where customers can continue to buy and sell books, records, DVDs and other items.

What’s next: Part of a larger expansion project, the relocation will ensure a permanent presence in Austin’s evolving real estate market, said company president Kathy Doyle Thomas.

The family-owned bookstore chain has been in the Austin market since 1975 and operates 115 locations across 19 states.